糖心原创

Triangle

Course overview

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective treatment for many difficulties and is strongly recommended in NICE guidelines for anxiety disorders and depression. CBT is grounded in evidence-based practice, ongoing evaluation, and efficient use of resources, making it appealing to patients, clinicians, and commissioners. While many practitioners have some exposure to CBT, few have the opportunity to develop full competency.

Our high-intensity CBT Postgraduate Diploma and MSc programmes provide post-qualification, postgraduate diploma-level training for treating adults with depression and/or anxiety disorders where CBT is an appropriate standalone therapy. Recruitment is aimed at postgraduates from psychology, psychotherapy, counselling, mental health nursing, occupational therapy, social work, and equivalent professions. Psychological wellbeing practitioners (PWPs) may also apply after at least two years post-qualification.

Training ensures that trainees achieve the competence needed to deliver outcomes consistent with NICE guidelines. They must also be familiar with managing common comorbidities such as substance misuse.

Trainees will be qualified to work within NHS Talking Therapies services, delivering high-intensity CBT in line with patient choice (in-person or via video consultation). NICE recommends a stepped-care approach: many mild to moderate cases of depression, and some but not all anxiety and trauma-related disorders, begin with low-intensity interventions. More severe conditions (e.g. PTSD, CPTSD, social anxiety) require NICE-recommended high-intensity therapy from the outset. NHS Talking Therapies services are organised around these principles.

Why choose this course?

Top 100

university in the world

3rd in the UK

for top employers

The Graduate Market, High Fliers Research 2026

Expert teaching

from a team of accredited and experienced Cognitive Behavioural Therapists

Fully accredited

by the  as IAPT level 2 course

96%

of our submitted research judged to be world-leading or internationally excellent, with our research environment rated 100% world-leading

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

Course content

The course content is grounded in a cognitive behavioural theoretical base, emphasising approaches with the strongest evidence where cognitive and behavioural techniques are fully integrated. Alongside intensive skills training to ensure competency, it will expand trainees’ theoretical and research knowledge of CBT and encourage a critical approach to its practice. The overall aim is to equip trainees to become skilled, creative, and independent CBT practitioners in line with BABCP Practice Guidance, while also contributing to the ongoing development of the field.

You'll develop practical competence in delivering CBT for depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders (including PTSD and CPTSD), as well as for co-occurring conditions and other common comorbidities. By the end of the course, you'll be able to construct detailed CBT formulations, create and implement treatment plans, and practise CBT systematically and effectively with good clinical outcomes. You'll also be expected to manage complex clinical issues, exercise personal responsibility in decision-making, and show originality in problem-solving. The course fosters a scientist-practitioner approach, encouraging ongoing professional development, critical evaluation of research evidence, and the refinement of advanced therapeutic skills.

In addition, you will demonstrate a strong knowledge of CBT principles, models, and evidence-based applications, including the ability to adapt therapy sensitively to address cultural, social, and equity issues across protected characteristics. You'll learn to use recommended outcome measures, deliver CBT across multiple formats (in-person and video), and develop an understanding of when group CBT is recommended by NICE guidance and how to apply it appropriately.

For the PGDip, you'll be required to attend university two days per week, spending the remaining three days within their clinical practice for 10 months. One day is delivered face-to-face and is a mixture of lectures, workshops and seminars. On the other day, clinical supervision groups meet online in the morning with the afternoons being a mixture of online and face-to-face workshops seminars and skills practice.

For the MSc, you'll be required to attend one full day of teaching on how to create a systematic review and will then be required to attend academic supervision for one hour each month minimum.   

Modules

Modules

CBT Fundamentals 1

This module focuses on conducting a clinical assessment within the cognitive behavioural theoretical framework, assessment of presenting problem(s), development and maintenance of problem(s) and predisposing social and environmental factors, psychometric and idiographic measurement in the assessment process, developing problem and goal statements and developing formulation within a cognitive behavioural theoretical framework. 

CBT Fundamentals 2

This module focuses on core skills in CBT clinical practice, including:

  • how to structure a session and the use of homework
  • formulation within CBT theoretical framework
  • identifying and modifying negative automatic thoughts
  • identifying and modifying rules for living and core beliefs
  • the role and purpose of behavioural experiments in CBT
  • relapse prevention
CBT Practice 1

The module focuses on:

  • the implementation of protocol driven interventions for anxiety disorders and depression
  • working with older adults within a CBT model
  • working with diversity and difference within a CBT model

Specific content includes formulation and implementation of the disorder specific CBT protocols for panic disorder with and without agoraphobia, generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, health anxiety, social anxiety and depression.

CBT Practice 2

This module aims to continue to develop students’ ability to deliver interventions for anxiety disorders, depression & PTSD.

This includes:

  • developing an ability to define anxiety disorders and Depression within a cognitive behavioural theoretical framework, and to synthesise information to inform clinical decision making and intervention
  • demonstrating an ability to develop hypotheses regarding psychological development and maintenance factors to current problems as a basis for implementing treatment protocols for anxiety disorders and depression
  • utilising the scientist-practitioner model as a foundation, and in this context, students will critically analyse and synthesise data to consider problem definition and differential diagnosis.
  • protocol versus formulation-based treatment – discussion/overview/developing a shorter treatment plan
  • addressing problematic cognitive processes – rumination, worry, memory, imagery
  • dropping avoidance and safety behaviours
  • addressing sleep problems – sleep hygiene, sleep restriction, nightmares
  • working from the longitudinal formulation – core beliefs – chair work, positive data logging
  • formulating and addressing client resistance
CBT Complexity

This module focuses on working with complexity in CBT. The content includes:

  • PTSD and trauma
  • hopelessness and suicide
  • loss and bereavement
  • chronic and recurrent depression
  • medically unexplained symptoms
  • personality disorders
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Dissertation Project (for MSc award)

The dissertation project will advance your understanding in the practice of cognitive behaviour therapy practice and your understanding of, and ability to interpret, the evidence base underpinning CBT. 

The project that you undertake can be either a systematic review of cognitive behaviour therapy literature, or an innovation report focusing on a change in practice.

The completion of this substantial project will enable you to demonstrate your mastery of academic skills. It generates knowledge which can be used to inform the practice of cognitive behaviour therapy.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • eLearning
  • Workshops
  • Patient scenarios
  • Role play

Learning and teaching is provided utilising a range of delivery methods to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical competency. Core teaching will include experiential and skills-based workshops, focusing on clinical CBT procedures and the latest research. Particular attention will be given to how beliefs, attention, memory, and behaviours interact to maintain emotional disorders in individuals. Skills will be further developed through small group work, role plays, group supervision, and workplace-based supervision.

Trainees will receive ongoing clinical supervision, including opportunities to act as co-therapists alongside experienced supervisors. Independent learning will form an essential component, involving general and preparatory reading, use of a video library, and access to online demonstrations of clinical techniques. Case management and problem-based learning will be supported through both course and workplace supervision.

Personal practice is also central. Trainees will conduct their own self-practice and self-reflection, utilising CBT such as problem formulation & behavioural experiments, mirroring techniques used in depression & anxiety treatments, and complete NHS Talking Therapies symptom and disability measures to gain direct experience of outcome monitoring. They will also share and discuss recordings of their therapy sessions with peers for constructive feedback.

How you will be assessed

  • Essay
  • Case studies
  • Critical analysis and reflection
  • Recorded counselling sessions
  • Portfolio (written/digital)
  • Critical review

Your work will be assessed during or at the end of each module through a variety of means.

To complete a module and gain its credits you will need to make sure you attend your timetabled sessions and get over the 50% pass mark.

  • To achieve the PGDip you will need a total of 120 credits
  • To achieve the MSc you will need a total of 180 credits

Clinical practice

You must complete eight cases by the end of the programme. Cases need to be accessed through your employing department.

You should also work towards a total of 200 hours clinical practice over the year, which is the BABCP accreditation requirement. It is very important to think in advance about accessing suitable cases.

Contact time and study hours

You will be required to attend clinical supervision and teaching sessions two days a week (Wednesdays and Thursdays), so will need to organise this with current employers.

You must also arrange 200 hours of clinical work in an appropriate clinical placement.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2027 entry.

Undergraduate degreeApplicants must have at least a second class (2:2) UK honours degree in a related subject and be working in mental health and social care or associated independent sector agencies.
Professional qualification

You need a core profession relating to mental health or can go through the Knowledge, Skills & Attitudes (KSA) Route to Accreditation and provide a portfolio as outlined on the . KSA requirements must be met if candidates do not have a core profession recognised by the BABCP.

Additional information

Students will normally require a first degree in a related subject or demonstrate equivalence and an ability to study at postgraduate level.

Please note that this course is not open to international applicants.

Applying

Please be aware that you cannot apply for the MSc until you have successfully completed the PGDip.

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

How to apply

Fees

Qualification PGDip MSc top-up (dissertation only)
Home / UK £11,040 £2,760
International N/A N/A

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, such as printing and travel to your clinical supervision sessions, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles.

Funding

We also recommend visiting the  as this is where most placement opportunities are advertised.

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or r茅sum茅, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the 糖心原创 include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

The course enables you to develop your knowledge and practice of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) skills, allowing you to work as a CBT (high intensity) practitioner.

Completion of this programme goes entirely towards meeting the requirements of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) for the training element of practitioner accreditation. If you're seeking accreditation, it is important to ensure that you will fully meet all requirements (available on the BABCP website).

Career progression

98.5% of postgraduates from the School of Health Sciences secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average starting salary was £32,904.*

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2021/22-2022/23.

British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)

The programme is fully accredited by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) as a High Intensity Therapies level 2 course. 

Two masters graduates proudly holding their certificates

This content was last updated on Monday 06 July 2026. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.